Teacher Background
Energy exists in a variety of forms; this comic explores the concept of heat energy and has been specifically created to address the above-mentioned Syllabus outcomes for Stage 2, aimed at developing students understanding of heat energy transfer, and how the effects of heat energy transfer can alter states of matter.
Heat energy is the movement of molecules in an object. Temperature measures this movement, and In Australia is expressed using Degrees Celsius (°C). When molecules move fast an item is hot, and when molecules move slowly an item is cold.
Heat energy aids in the changing of states, this book will explore the state changes between Gas, Liquid and Solids, (however does not address the state change between Gas and Solid), nor does it explore the state of matter that is Plasma). Teachers will need to be familiar with the words associated with such state changes and the temperatures at which they occur for H20.
For a glossary of technical words used, and experiments mentioned throughout the comic, or to contact the author, please visit: tahneedukenzi.wixsite.com/heatenergy
Student Misconceptions
When planning for lessons regarding heat energy an effective teacher needs to take into consideration student pre-existing ideas, some of which may be incorrect. Some of these misconceptions that may arise are as follows;
Heat is created – Heat energy is only able to be transformed or transferred, and cannot be created or destroyed.
Cold is transferrable – Cold is the absence of heat, and has no energy to transfer.
Heat energy and temperature are the same – temperature is the measurement of heat energy.